tools and resources for the pipe organ committee

Tools for the Pipe Organ Committee

Preface: Mr. Phillip Parkey is a long time member of the American Institute of Organbuilders as well as the American Guild of Organists.  The following information is based on over 20 years of experience and the installation and completion of over 100 instruments.  The following is a compilation of in-depth information ranging from industry standards and descriptions to the format of purchasing a pipe organ.  Many of the articles are in response to common questions from organists and organ committees.  We hope you will find this information helpful!

I. The purchasing process
A. Church organs
  1. Organ Committee
  2. Consultants
  3. Final selection
B. Practice organs
C. University or Recital Hall organs
II. Organs
A) Electronic
B) Hybrid - Electronic with pipe vs. Pipe with electronic
C) Pipe Organs
III. Understanding Organ Specifications
IV. Pipe Organ Placement and Acoustics
V. Key and Windchest actions
A. Key actions
  1. Tracker or mechanical action
  2. Electric action
B. Windchest actions
  1. Electro-mechanical
  2. Slider
  3. Electro-pneumatic
VI. Winding systems
VII. Contracts and payment schedules

           

                       

           

                       
Parkey OrganBuilders is home to the largest facility in the Southeastern United States dedicated solely to the production and servicing of pipe organs.

From the front office administrative staffers to the master craftsmen involved in every aspect of organ design and production, every Parkey OrganBuilders employee is committed to ensuring customer satisfaction on every level.